Final word on Holliday contract offers

DENVER — In the process of filing a column about Matt Holliday last night, I inadvertently slighted the outfielder. Based on the my research today, and talking again to multiple sources, the Rockies offered a four-year, $72-million deal with a $12-million option during spring training of 2008.

In today’s story, I indicated it was an $82-million deal over four years. Following the 2008 season, the Rockies traded Holliday to the Oakland A’s in exchange for Huston Street, Carlos Gonzalez and Greg Smith.

The numbers are relevant based on guaranteed money involved. Holliday received a seven-year, $120-million deal from the Cardinals, which calculates to $48 million more than the Rockies’ offer.

The gist of the column doesn’t change. I believe Holliday made a great choice. And I totally understand why the Rockies traded him to fill multiple needs. Holliday received a longer contract with a complete no-trade. The Rockies didn’t want to commit more than four years, and wanted the ability to trade him without limitations. They were stuck in a sea of frozen contracts for years with Mike Hampton, Denny Neagle and Larry Walker, who had complete no-trade provisions.

One more thing on Holliday worth watching. His deal with the Cardinals has been criticized for its length. He will be 36 in the final year of his deal. I have never covered a player who worked harder and watched his diet more closely than Holliday. So while history suggests he will decline in his mid 30s, I believe he will buck conventional wisdom. It’s a debate that won’t be settled for years, but I am interested to see how it turns out.